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on 6-8 December 2016, in Bastad (Sweden), the seminar discussed ways to better implementation of CLLD method. This two-day seminar focused on how to make the best possible use of the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) method supported under Rural Development (EAFRD), Fisheries (EMFF), Regional Development (ERDF) and Social (ESF) Funds.

The event brought together Local Action Groups (LAGs) and other local actors; Managing Authorities (MAs); and National Networks from across the four ESI Funds. It enabled mutual learning through exchange of practical experience in implementing the CLLD method and a field visit to local projects.

This is the second in a series of seminars organised jointly by the four EU Commission Directorates General managing the ESI Funds and supporting CLLD. It follows last December's successful 'Implementing CLLD across the ESI Funds' seminar in Edinburgh.

Ten years of activities of the LAG Hiiumaa is the perfect Jubilee to celebrate. During this time, we supported more than 350 local projects, both small and big, influencing thus the development of Hiiumaa. We can even say that the LAG Hiiumaa is a portrait of the life and people of Hiiumaa. In the new period, which began in 2014 according to the EU regulation, in reality in 2016, the new Integrated Development Strategy of Hiiumaa highlights the theme of the UNESCO Biosphere Program, according to which all project will be evaluated in Hiiumaa.

On October 13th 2016, in the Kärdla Culture Centre, the Jubilee Conference was held under the theme: Community implements the Biosphere Program. We had presentations about why the Biosphere Programme it is useful for Hiiumaa; how our neighbouring countries, Sweden and Latvia, are implementing the program and benefit from it; as well as about the cooperation in the energy field with Japan.

We invited to the Conference all who value Hiiumaa nature, culture, science and education in favour to the development of our municipalities, and our colleagues in local action groups in Estonia. The Conference program and speakers introduced the different ways of approaching interactively the education, science and culture, and the impact of environmental protection on Hiiumaa island and the wider world.

On June 11th a historic event will take place between the Estonian largest islands Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. For the first time in history a 10 km-long rope will be pulled across the sea between the islands and the locals on both ends will be able to test their strength in a tug-of-war. Head referees of the tug-of-war will be the representatives of another Estonian island Vormsi. The aim of the initiative is to demonstrante the many joys and opportunities for leisure time activities related to the sea.According to the main organizer Tanel Lips the people living in Hiiumaa and Saaremaa have always had a special relationship. "Sometimes they make fun of each other, then they go to the sauna together and have even more fun together, but now it is time to test their strength in a tug-of-war," he said.The rope is made so that both grown-ups and children on both ends can take part. In Hiiumaa the rope will be met at Sõru harbour http://www.visitestonia.com/en/soru-harbour-3 and in Saaremaa at Soela harbour http://www.visitestonia.com/en/soela-harbour The event takes place in the framework of the Year of Maritime Culture in Estonia.

On 25-29. April 2016, Hiiumaa LAG, Saaremaa LAG and the representatives of Hiiumaa County Government took a study tour to Bornholm (Denmark) and Skåne (South-east of Sweden) to learn from the experience of local authorities on development of sustainable energy and local food, and the experience in LEADER cooperation. Bornholm's energy strategy Bright Green Island sets an ambitious task - to become fully energy independent in 2030 and start exporting the energy out of the island. And this goal is taken in long strides. One helpful tool is energy simulator, which was completed after a thorough mapping of energy use: what kind of heating is used in homes and businesses, the termic isolation of buildings, possibilities offered by modern technology and how residents and businesses will see their role in implementing the strategy involved. Among many meetings with islanders, one of the most memorable was with the great friend of Estonian islands and former Bornholm Mayor and politician Knud Andersen at his home. Among many questions asked by the group on issues concerning regional reform, Knud commented that the island's municipal amalgamations was necessary, but within one municipality there is no discussion crucial for developments. Current Mayor Winni Grosbøll did not accept that argument, but highlighted the strength of one municipality and quick decision-making opportunity. It is now due to the uniting of the municipalities that the island's population decline has slowed.

This is how our island of Hiiumaa is described in the web by the The Guide To Regional Food & Culinary Traditions. In the end of January, first three nominates for the membership in the network of Culinary Heritage were announced on Hiiumaa. On 28th of January, Niclas Fjellström, the project leader for the program, was here in the island presenting the ideas of the network to the particinats of the seminar "Hiiumaa food - a trasure to be revealed". The seminar was a part of an award gained by Hiiumaa Tourism Association in the EU EDEN contest representing Estonia.

The National Audit Office of Estonia analysed the distribution of LEADER support programm. LEADER support is aimed at the development of rural areas, supporting a wide range of activities ranging from business to development of the village. The beneficiaries are businesses, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and others.

In summary, the National Audit Office concluded that the LEADER program has been successful in Estonia. Local action groups have been active in rural areas at all spheres of rural life. During the funding period 2007-2013 the LEADER program implemented over 7,400 projects with the support received by over 3,200 persons.

The objectives and performance indicators for the output has been exceeded, in some cases by as much as several times. The figures report it has is a good successful program.

However, the National Audit Office started out the problems - such as the need to improve transparency in the selection of projects to be supported and clearly explain why one project will receive the money and the other is not. There is also the problem with the creation of jobs, which is an important indicator for measuring the success of the program. Analyse of the annual reports of local businesses show that jobs created are rather of temporary nature.

Hiiumaa LEADER strategy 2014-2020 is approved by our NGO and sent for evaluation to the Ministry of Rural Life of Estonia on 9th of June. The preparation and negotiation process took almost 1,5 years of meetings and discussions. The very last guidelines in a form of the Handbook came out from the Ministry only in February 2015. By that time most of the work was already done by all 26 LAGS of Estonia.

Hiiumaa has decided to focus on jobs and sustainable use of ressources. As beeing the area of the Biosphere Program by UNESCO program Man and Biosphere, it is only natural to take advantage of the global interest towards places that have specific nature and culture. Out task is to protect our island with the means of education and science.

In the strategy we foresee four specific measures: 1. Investment support for entrpreneur; 2. Investment support for public and NGO sector; 3. Innovative community (for knowledge exchange and learning); 4. Development cooperation (for the conducting development projects as marketing, or creating the Centre for Biosphere program). The special chapter is for the national and transnational cooperation of LEADER LAG that enables the LAG to continue with projects on local food and maritime heritage together with new projects.

Illustration: In the cover of the EARDF broshure of 14 best projects of the period, our project Growing Gastronauts is proudly presented.

To start with - what we learned during the study tour was the spirit of community and cooperation in every project that we saw. Starting with warm welcome by the host of our accommodation Angus Williams, and continuing during all 4 days that we spent in the island of Mull. The problems tackled by the Mull community were similar to ours: distance from mainland, isolation, need to find different approaches to the everyday life’s tasks. For example: Island’s Abattoirs plays a vital role in promoting animal welfare simply to prevent long journeys to mainland slaughter houses; Green Energy Mull (GEM) operates the hydroelectric system for the benefit of community. Behind these and many other activities is the Mull and Iona Community Trust that is: “...dedicated and passionate locally based organisation focussed on improving the quality of life for the residents of Mull and Iona” as was stated during the seminar in the community house An Roth.

Ten tourist and local food entrepreneurs from LAGs Hiiumaa and Saaremaa (Estonia) took the joint study tour to Italy, Milano and LAG Oltrepo Mantovanos. The aim of the tour was to exchange experience with Italian colleagues and to visit and work in Milano EXPO 2015 Estonian pavillion. The program on 3-4 of June in Milano and EXPO was jointly covered with Enterprise Estonia; the program to visit the LAG Oltrepo Mantovanos was compiled with the help and cooperation of the manager Carmelita Trentini. "it is very important to find partners that are reliable and ready for cooperation" said Ly Kaups, the member of the Board of Hiiumaa Tourist Association. "Italian partners were very good and the program they offered us was beyond every expectation. Thank You, Carmelita!".